Dub or Sub? + Overall Foreign movie-stuff

[Vkmies]

Just thought on making a thread about peoples opinions on subtitles, Dubbing and foreign movies in general.

Do you like your foreign films dubbed over or subtitled? I know in the US many films are dubbed and it has a pretty big history of dubbing almost everything that comes in. Not really sure about other countries. So, Americans, do you mind watching an old spaghetti-western with English dubs or do you go on your way on finding the original Italian version and finding subtitles on it? How about your Anime, where you usually have a choice.

I'm a Finn myself, and I think they do this on pretty much all other small countries: We have movies for children dubbed, but all films for ages 13+ that are live-action have only subtitles.

Just to avoid a too one-sided conversation, I will add this: How often do you watch foreign films? Especially in other languages. How do you like them? Your opinions on Asian films, European films etc. I heard they were making a US version of the Swedish Millenium-trilogy by Stieg Larsson. Any opinions?

Personally, (and with no offense) I generally don't really like the Asian film industry too much. Because I'm such a western dick, I have a hard time distinguish Asian people from each other. Makes watching even the most interesting film a little hard.

Discuss.

 

[TheHecatomb]

Subtitles. Always subtitles. I like movies and I like to view them the way they were meant to be seen. I can't imagine watching a dubbed film starring Morgan Freeman and not hearing his majestical voice.

Acting as a whole is not just about physical presence, it's also about suble intonations in the voice. Dubbed films always feel 'disconnected', like there is no proper relationship between what you're seeing and what you're hearing.

 

[New Troll]

Depends on the language and more importantly the type of movie involved. Asian movies should always be subbed while a lot of European movies are just fine being dubbed. I personally don't mind reading so if I had to choose only one or the other for every foriegn flick, I'd go with subbed.

I'm a movie fan so it'd be silly for me to limit what I watch by region. Some of my favorite films are foriegn, some dubbed and some subbed.

 

[Zebag]

I watch quite a few foreign films and I much prefer to see them subbed. I find that the dub loses something in the inflections of the original actors speech. For instance, the dub of Life is Beautiful was awful. I don't know why people feel the need to dub films.

As for the remake of foreign films I'm usually not a big fan. Not looking forward to the Millennium trilogy remake and I'm so glad that they never went ahead with the Oldboy remake.

 

[Latinidiot]

Sub it. dubbing it is for the lazy.

Speaking of non american films, I'm going to see Des Hommes Et Des Dieux later this week. Has anyone seen it yet?

 

[Scarim Coral]

I watch foriegn films sub only while if it an anime show or film I watch it sub first then dub the second time I'll watch it. Not all dubs are bad.

 

[Colour Scientist]

Subbed. Not because it sounds terrible but if I notice that the sound is off from the mouth movements it tends to bother me for the rest of the film.

 

[cathou]

Since i'm not from the US and english is not my main language, i can safely say that each time i watch an american movie, i watch a foreing movie. I go for dubbed, i dont like subtitles. Dubbing is acceptable when it's well done, with professional actors, and a well translated script. I,m used to that, and since most of american actors have their dedicated voice, it feel natural since the actor have always the same voice.

I dont have the impression that american film industry is doing a lot of dubbing, they often make remakes (which is rarely as good as the originals).

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

This thread again? Really?

As for dubbed or subbed, it depends on the voice cast for the dub. If they were a good cast who understood the material, then dubs are often more staisfying that subs. If they did not, then the dub generally sucks. Sometimes most of the cast will be excellent, while a few members suck - in those cases, I generally watch most of the series (talking anime here) dubbed, and switch to subbed for the episodes where the incompetent VAs have a lot of screen time.

But really, this thread as been done to death. Also, it usually includes a poll so people can vote.

 

[Ruairi iliffe]

Depends totally on the qualitly of the sub/dub in the first place, saying that i do enjoy watching flims in the orginal tongue with subs, on the gounds you get a better feel of the orgnial intent than a dub, But with a dub you can relax and focus on more going on.

Also im currently moving to germany Very soon, where its going to be a pain to watch stuff in my own tongue at the cinema, so funny enough i have to look for a subbed cinema in my local area

And to add, i watched a good bit of anime back in my college days, and most dubs drove me mad. Except for Ghost in a shell GIG's, those where great.

 

[shadyh8er]

Dubs, as long as its not from 4kids.

But I will never watch a live-action foreign movie dubbed. The lack of synchronization between the lip flaps and the dialogue pisses me off.

 

[Sandytimeman]

It has to be Subs. The originals are usually made for the original actors wither its animation or live action. I've only really seen one freak example of where the dub turned out better then the original and that was Cowboy Bebop.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I prefer to watch foreign movies in their native language. I've noticed that when movies are dubbed over, some of the emotion and, context is lost. This is especially true in anime and, certain video games.

 

[havass]

Subtitles. I like my subtitles, thank you very much. Dubbing just doesn't cut it. Kinda loses the whole "feel" of the show, especially if it's live action. Even if it's anime, some english voice actors fail so badly they ruin the whole show. *coughcodegeasscough*

 

[Vkmies]

This thread again? Really?

But really, this thread as been done to death. Also, it usually includes a poll so people can vote.

I am most sorry if this is doen multiple times, but I was truly interested, and I was trying to concertrate on the foreign films mostly and subtitling and dubbing in general. I wasn't trying to create an argument, Dub vs. Sub or a poll for that matter. Only trying to provoke conversation.

 

[[.redacted]]

[footnote]All of this is commenting on anime, of course.[/footnote]Ah, the age-old war between subs and dubs.

I choose subs, usually, as bad voice acting can butcher a show.